Automated Top-Plate Positioning for Medical Imaging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging diagnosis apparatuses face challenges in accurately setting phantoms and subjects at the center position of the effective view field, leading to inaccurate calibration and imaging due to manual operation and reliance on projectors for guidance.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging diagnosis apparatus with a top-plate, bed, and moving assembly that automatically adjusts the position of the top-plate relative to the center positions of both the X-ray CT and nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatuses using calculated deviation amounts, ensuring precise alignment for accurate calibration and imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation with projector guidance is used to set the phantom, then the operator can perform the calibration work, but the phantom may not be set at the center position of the actual effective view field, leading to calibration errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning system with an automated computer-controlled top-plate positioning system. The calculation unit automatically calculates the deviation amount between the projected center position and the actual effective view field center, and the control unit automatically adjusts the top-plate position to compensate for this deviation, eliminating manual positioning errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the projector to create a visual copy (projected image) of the desired center position, then uses the calculation unit to determine the deviation between this copied position and the actual effective view field center. This copied visual guide is then used by the control unit to automatically position the top-plate correctly.
2Ease of operation
If manual top-plate operation is used to adjust subject setting, then the operator can position the subject, but the subject may not be set at the center position of the actual effective view field, resulting in imaging errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the top-plate for subject positioning with an automated control system. The calculation unit computes the deviation between the projected center and actual effective view field center, and the control unit automatically adjusts the top-plate position to ensure the subject is correctly positioned at the center of the actual effective view field.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the projector as a visual feedback mechanism to show the desired center position, the calculation unit calculates the deviation between this visual feedback and the actual position, and the control unit uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the top-plate positioning for accurate subject placement.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a medical imaging diagnosis apparatus includes a top-plate, a bed, a first gantry, a second gantry and a moving assembly. The top-plate places a subject thereon. The bed supports the top-plate. The first gantry includes an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector which revolve around the top-plate. The second gantry includes a gamma ray detector which detects gamma rays emitted from the subject. The moving assembly moves, based on a first position indicative of a center position of an effective view field in the first gantry and a second position indicative of a center position of an effective view field in the second gantry, the top-plate relative to the second position.